Resources:

The Institute for Disaster Mental Health offers professional trainings on a variety of disaster-related topics. Previous trainings have been delivered across New York State to employees of the Office of Mental Health and the Department of Health, and these services are available for governmental and private organizations that are interested in increasing disaster preparedness among their staffs or communities.

Core curriculum:• Disaster Mental Health: An Overview – a four-hour summary incorporating current research on evidence-based best practices for responding to disasters and treating trauma.

The following supplemental courses are each 2.5 hours long and are intended to educate helpers with some mental health background about addressing the needs of specific populations post-disaster:• Disaster Mental Health: Assisting Children and Families• Disaster Mental Health: Assisting People with Serious Mental Illness• Disaster Mental Health: Assisting People Exposed to Radiation

Products for each course include an instructor manual, participant manual, and CD including those files and a PowerPoint presentation. The trainings have generally been delivered in person, but IDMH is receptive to exploring alternate delivery methods such as webcasts that would increase accessibility and decrease delivery expenses.

If you are interested in hosting a training or would like more information, please contact us at (845) 257-3477 or idmh@newpaltz.edu.